World events scheduled for January 2019

12/19/2018
Graphic News

January 1-31, 2019 -- The World Agenda gives a preview of world events scheduled for January, including the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as president of Brazil, and the convening of the new U.S. Congress.

1. Jan 3, U.S.: Nancy Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 2007-11, is attempting to secure the job for a non-consecutive term when the new U.S. Congress convenes – to lead the challenge to President Trump’s political and legislative
agendas

2. Jan 7, UK: Parliament returns from its Christmas break, and Prime Minister Theresa May has promised a vote on the Brexit deal the following week. Her options appear meagre if, as expected, it fails to pass

3. Jan 1, Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro is sworn in as president for a four-year term that will take the country to the right after a long spell on the left. A lack of foreign leaders at the ceremony in Brasilia can be pinned on the inconvenient date – New Year – and a distaste for his views

4. Jan 14-27, Australia: The Australian Open sees Serena Williams aiming for a record eighth trophy in Melbourne and a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title overall

5. Jan 22-27, Panama: Pope Francis has invited young people from around the globe to attend World Youth Day, but he can’t count on the usual rapturous crowds. The paedophile priests scandal appears to be taking a toll on both his popularity and on the Catholic Church

6. 6: Jan 22-25, Switzerland: The World Economic Forum will draw the rich and powerful to Davos to discuss the most pressing issues on the global agenda

7. Jan 1, Space: NASA’s New Horizons probe reaches the closest point in its nine-day flyby of the icy Kuiper Belt object MU69 and its moonlet. At 6.5bn km from Earth, it is the farthest exploration in the history of humankind

8. Jan 6, U.S.: The Golden Globes nominees show Hollywood taking a stab at inclusion. Crazy Rich Asians, Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman and Bohemian Rhapsody are all in the running for Best Picture-Drama, winning points for diversity. But they must beat A Star is Born, which is favourite for the award (Story: Julie Mullins)